LAS VEGAS (AP) — Backers of President Barack Obama on Friday argued that Nevada’s numerous underwater homeowners will get more relief from Obama than Mitt Romney.
“Maybe if you have five or six houses yourself, maybe a ski lodge and an elevator for your car in your garage, maybe you have a different perspective on what a house means,” former Rep. Dina Titus said in reference to the wealthy Republican presidential nominee. Titus is trying to return to Congress in November in Las Vegas’ 1st Congressional District.
She spoke at a news conference at the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the same week Bob Woodward released a new book saying Obama told advisers not to roll out an “aggressive” housing program after his election four years ago.
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and other Democratic politicians rattled off Obama administration policies that they contended help struggling homeowners, and repeated remarks Romney made during the Nevada primary in February that the housing market needs to “hit bottom” before the government intervenes.
“Consider this a clear choice between a president who is fighting for the middle class, including homeowners, and Governor Romney, who does not offer any help at all,” said Castro, who was the party’s keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention.
Romney spokesman Mason Harrison replied: “Nevadans who are facing foreclosure or are underwater in their homes know that they are not better off than they were four years ago.”
Obama handily won Nevada in 2008, but the state remains highly competitive this year because of its dismal economy.
